See a Coyote in Burlington? Here's What You Should Do

The City of Burlington is aware of coyotes in The Palmer area of Ward 4 and more recently in the downtown area of Ward 2. Here is some information about coyotes, including what we’re doing at the City of Burlington and what residents can do to co-exist safely with coyotes.Quick Facts:

• Coyotes are native to North America and can be found living in urban and rural areas.
• Food sources, such as mice, rats, and garbage are readily available in urban areas, attracting coyotes to residential neighbourhoods.
• The City of Burlington has a Council-approved Coyote Response Strategy that provides guidelines on preventing and managing conflicts with coyotes.
• Concerns about direct or indirect feeding of wildlife can be reported to Animal Control at animalshelter.mailbox@burlington.ca
• Hand feeding and ground feeding wildlife on private or public property is prohibited by the city’s Lot Maintenance Bylaw (59-2018) and is subject to a $300 fine.

What We're Doing at the City of Burlington:

• The City is working with wildlife experts including one of its rehabilitation partners who specializes in the live trapping of coyotes. They have been on location and trapped two coyotes from the Palmer area so far. They are continuing to track coyotes in order to live trap them and provide appropriate care. Residents should continue to contact Animal Services with sightings. If a coyote goes into a yard or area where they are cornered, then it will give staff a better chance of trapping them.
• Animal Control Officers are patrolling the Palmer and downtown communities, investigating areas where frequent coyote sightings have been reported.
• The City’s Roads, Parks and Forestry Department continues its regular pick-up schedule for our parks as part of the City’s continued implementation of solutions for minimizing garbage and food in parks.
• The City will look into installing coyote signs in high-sighting areas to warn people of coyotes nearby.
• Staff continues to focus on educating residents about coyotes:
  • Make sure dogs are leashed;
  • hazing techniques; and
  • removing food sources.

What Residents Can Do:There are things we can all do to make coyotes uncomfortable in our neighborhoods so they know our homes are off limits. If they can, coyotes will look for an easy source of food or shelter in residential neighborhoods. We must work together to limit these opportunities.

• DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE - This includes accidental feeding, such as garbage, messy bird feeders, and fallen fruit or intentional feeding. Feeding causes coyotes to approach people.
• Hazing at home - Discourage coyotes from hanging around homes by consistently scaring them off each time you see them on your property. Use flashing lights, a hose, motion sensors and noise makers.
• Hazing in your neighbourhood - Scare away coyotes you see in your neighbourhood, parks and sidewalks. Make the coyote uncomfortable by shouting at it, throwing things like a tennis ball or spraying it with a water hose. Continue until the animal leaves.
• Remove shelter - Check for open spaces under decks and remove brush materials lying on the ground.
• Remove all food sources – Make sure outdoor pet food is securely stored; fruit is picked from trees and off the ground, and rodent habitats such as neglected yards, garages or sheds are removed or kept clean.
• Remove garbage access - Do not put your garbage out at the curb the day or night before your garbage pick-up. Wait until the morning to place it at the curb. Put bags in secure garbage cans.
• Clean up after your dog – Coyotes are attracted to dog feces.

For more information on coyotes, please visit burlington.ca/coyotes. To report a coyote siting, contact Animal Services at 905-335-3030 or fill out the form.We will continue to work with our coyote and wildlife experts to trap ill or injured coyotes in our community. The City will keep communicating with you to provide updates and information to help everyone work together to coexist with coyotes in our community.--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist